AMAB
FALL 2018 ISSUE #5
AUTISM MOMS ARE BEAUTIFUL
My Mind Needs Rest Confessions of an Autism Mom
Dr. Tracey Benson
Ambitious, Ravishing & Exquisite
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THINGS TO DO UNDER $10 Plus, a closer look at Zalyn's Boulevard Go-To Styling Tips.
AMAB AUTISM MOMS ARE BEAUTIFUL
Editor-in-Chief Chief Advisor Associate Advisor Creative Director Managing Editor Style Editor Associate Editor Assistant Editor Editorial Assistant
Nichole Wilson Steve Levine Haley Ahart Keiffer Nichole Wilson Ashlee Viesca Nichole Wilson Sindu Alakot Janley Coan Jean TenBrink
Cover Model: Dr. Tracey Benson Makeup Artist: Camilia Wilson Hairstylist: Touched By Dutchess Photographer: Point and Click Photography
editor's note
Autism Moms Are Beautiful is a magazine that reminds Autism Moms that they are beautiful, important, and matter. Our goal is to inspire each of our readers. Sharing stories of Autism Moms can also enlighten others who are not raising children on the spectrum and are unaware of the challenges that come with raising our autistic children. We appreciate the love and support from Autism Moms and the community. The theme of this issue is Beauty and Attractiveness. Beauty shows Autism Moms’ loveliness. We are beautiful inside and out, despite our daily stresses. We are attractive in so many ways, especially for the love and passion we have for our babies on the spectrum. We must continue to stay strong for our little ones. By doing this, we let everyone know that Autism Moms Are Beautiful, and we rock the universe!
Nichole Wilson EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Makeup Artist: Camilia Wilson Hairstylist: Touched By Dutchess Clothing: Chloe Dao Photographer: Point and Click Photography
AMAB Magazine Autism Moms Are Beautiful www.amabeautiful.org P.O. Box 841428 Pearland, Texas 77584
You need to stay positive and know that your child will grow mentally each year. Not all autistic children progress at the same pace but know that things will eventually fall into place. JT: If you can visit anywhere in the world where would it be? JZ: I would like to travel more to New Jersey to spend more time with my father (my mother passed away 3 years ago) and my siblings. I reside in Texas, so traveling with both boys to faraway places is really not an option at this point. Hopefully one day we can all travel together. JT: If you can say something encouraging and positive to other moms what would it be? JZ: You need to stay positive and know that your child will grow mentally each year. Not all autistic children progress at the same pace but know that things will eventually fall into place. Your child will feed off your frustration and emotions, so it is beneficial for everyone if you can keep it together and be patient. You cannot give up on your child or yourself. You really need each other to survive the good and bad days. Life is not easy, fair or perfect. You just have to make the best of it day by day. That’s all you can do and sometimes that’s just enough.
Makeup Artist: Camilia Wilson Photographer: Point and Click photography
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Mission/Misión Is to provide high quality, low-cost equipment, programs, products, and services that will enhance the lives of people with disabilities, hearing loss and communication challenges. Es proveer equipos, programas,y equipos de alta calidad a bajo costo que mejorarán las vidas de las personas con discapacidades, pérdida de audición y desafios de comunicación.
“Let’s Make Hearing Loss a Conversation” “Conversemos de la Pérdida Auditiva” Assistive Technology Unlimited is a Houston-based company established to promote effective communication with adults and children with disabilities. Many of these services are provided through the STAP (Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program). STAP is a Statefunded Program which provides telecommunications equipment to individuals who have difficulty accessing the telephone. There are two (2) Requirements for STAP applicants/Hay SOLO DOS REQUISITOS PARA EL PROGRAMA: 1. Applicant MUST be a TEXAS resident. 2. Have a condition /disability that limits your ability to use the telephone. Example: difficulty hearing, seeing, speaking, mobility (moving), or remembering. • Ser un residente de Texas y • Tener una condición que limita su capacidad de usar el teléfono. • Ejemplo: dificultad auditiva, ver, hablar, movilidad (moverse) o recordar.
Assistive Technology Unlimited 13831 Northwest Freeway, Suite 211 Houston, Texas 77040 sales@assistivetechu.com assistivetechu.com 832-940-2020 Assistive Technology Unlimited. . .Transforming Lives, one device at a time. Assistive Technology Unlimited. . .Transformando Vidas!
My mind needs rest
Confessions of an Autism Mom
Author: Autism Mom (anonymous author) As an Autism Mom, I am more awake than I am asleep. The times that most moms relax, I am still up doing so much: ranging from feeding, bathing, or calming my baby on the spectrum. While doing this, I shed a few tears just because its part of my daily life. My mind needs a moment to relax. I so want to create. But in order for me to do that, I need my mind to be relaxed. When I finally get the chance to soak in the tub, I can feel my brain recharging. I start to fall into a deep sleep and then I am awakened by my other child on the spectrum who has just urinated on my bathroom floor. I pray that I am able to recharge my mind with no interruptions. This is not always possible, but I continue to remind myself of how I have no choice but to do it and keep on pushing for my babies. 13
Including Kids, INC. 18401 Timber Forest Drive Humble, TX 77346 Telephone 281-852-0501 Fax 281-852-0502 info@includingkids.org Business Hours – 8am to 4pm
Including Kids, INC. was founded 15 years ago with the mission of providing educational and therapeutic instruction using the principles of applied behavior analysis for children with autism and related developmental delays, endeavoring to facilitate their inclusion in the community. Today, Including Kids has served over 900 families from 13 counties in the Greater Houston area. We have created a quality full-time program that continues to change the lives of young adults and children with autism, offering them a chance to be included in the community.
www.amabeautiful.org
Fashion Show sponsored by: Nichole Wilson of AMAB Magazine Clothing by: Denese McNeil of Boho Glam Klozet
Autism Services and Behavior Therapy at The Shape of Behavior, we understand how much the little things matter. It is our mission to provide treatment based on empirically validated ABA principles and shape behavior by celebrating small, everyday successes. The Shape provides applied behavior analysis (ABA), behavioral services and autism therapy. Not only do we work to help improve the quality of life for the children and families we serve, but we also conduct research in order to support and advance the field of behavior analysis. The Shape of Behavior 12941 North Freeway Ste. 750 Houston, TX 77060 www.shapeofbehavior.com 832-358-2655
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month "Cancer is a word, not a sentence." John Diamond "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." Louisa May Alcott "My cancer scare changed my life. I’m grateful for every new, healthy day I have. It has helped me prioritize my life." Olivia Newton-John "It's about focusing on the fight and not the fright." Robin Roberts
AMAB Treasurer JANET COAN
AUTISM MOMS ROCK VIDEO SHOOT
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Things To Do Under
$10 BY: JANLEY
COAN
Cinema Theatres (selective days & times) Happy Hour $1 a minute massages Rollerskating Miniature Golf Museums on free days (Zoo, The Children’s Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, please google to find info for free days).
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